I'm Free!

 I'm free!  Well, until January 4, that is.   That's right, yesterday was my last day of work for the year!  

Some of my coworkers tell me, "Oh, you're so lucky!"  But no, it's not luck.  It's the wise choices I made when scheduling my time off.  Luck had nothing to do with it. 

That bit of housekeeping aside, what did I do on my first day off?  As it happens, not a whole heck of a lot.  I mean, other than the usual laundry and shopping, that is.   Oh, I had plans, but those plans -- as they so often do -- fell by the wayside in favor of....knitting.

I cast on a new hat last night which coordinates pretty well with the Irish Hiking Scarf I want to do.  It's called the 3AM Blue Cable Hat.  It's knitting up pretty quickly, and I should be through with it soon.  The yarn is, of course, the Knit Picks Brava in Peacock colorway, knit on size 10 needles.  

I'm a bit torn.  I'm thinking if I'd used the size 8 needles the pattern called for, the cables might have a bit better definition.  On the other hand, the fabric would be stiffer, and I like the drape of it knit on the larger needles.  I think when I cast on the scarf, I'll stick with what I'm doing now. 

Other than that, my big plan for my time off is to get my snake room cleaned up and organized.  Unfortunately, it's become the room where I shove everything to get it out of my way.  As a result, it's become a bit cluttered. 

Heh, even the fake firelogs I bought on clearance last year got stuffed in here.  And the cat toy that was more interesting to me than to the cat.  And a few extra bottles of shampoo I moved in there to get them out of the way of the plumber who never came back.  

The ultimate goal, once all these snakes go to that great herpetarium in the sky, 

is to turn this room into a writing lounge.  I want pretty much clean out everything that is in there -- including the huge honking computer desk I haven't used in ages -- and maybe put a day bed in there for guests -- just in case I ever have grandkids someday-- and a writing desk, and maybe some sort of set up for my record player, and who knows, maybe I'll get one of those fake fireplaces.  OK, maybe not that last one, but never say never.  

All that is down the road, though.  The goal for right now is to just get it cleaned up a bit.  And now that I've said it out loud, so to speak, I have to do it.  

Well, it's been three weeks, and the cat hasn't bothered the Christmas tree at all, so I took a chance and put some presents under it.  

I am also working on a Christmas concert for you.  It'll only be three or four songs, but I hope to get them recorded this week.  I think I'm going to try recording them on my phone.  Speaking of, I recorded this to show you...when my washer finishes a cycle, it plays a cute little tune instead of an annoying buzz.  (Skip ahead to :55.)

  

I've spent the last two weeks trying to figure out what that song is.  I'm sure one of my musical experts will let me know.  

I Don't Know

 Well, guess who didn't show up again.  Go on.  I'll bet you can't guess.

If you said the plumber, give yourself a cookie.  

That's right.  He said he was going to come back yesterday with a snake to try to clear my sink drain, but  he didn't.  I waited all afternoon for him to show, and he never came.  Didn't call, or anything.  I won't be surprised if I never hear from him again. 

What is wrong with people these days?  I guess integrity doesn't mean anything any more.  I mean, it's not like I'm asking him to sacrifice his firstborn child.  I just want my sink fixed.  Is that too much to ask? 

I don't know what I'm going to do.  I'm running out of people to call. 

On the bright side, the rip roaring sinus headache I've been battling for five days seems to have abated some.  Not that that has anything to do with plumbing, but there it is. I guess it's my face's plumbing. 

On the brighter side, tomorrow is my last day of work for the year!  The bad news is, they're talking about changing the company's vacation policy.  They're complaining that too many people are saving up their days for the end of the year, so they're talking about requiring us to use at least half of our days before June 30th.  I hope they don't go through with that.  I worked hard to earn those vacation days, and I should be able to take them whenever I want -- with my supervisor's approval, that is. 

I swear, I think they have meetings late at night to try to figure out ways to make our jobs as miserable as possible.  

But the big news is, the computer system the plant uses has been subjected to a ransomware attack.  It's not just us, either.  It's everyone who uses that system.  They don't know how long it's going to last, but for now, they're having to do payroll and vacation requests manually.  Personally, I prefer to use a paper request form.  That way I have a copy of my days I've put in for.  I don't have to try to remember, or have to brave going up to HR and getting them to run me off a printout of my list of approved days. 

We still can't turn them in until January, but I got some papers and am going to fill them out over the holiday.  

In knitting news, I've got a serious case of startitis.  For you knitting muggles out there, that means I have the overwhelming desire to cast on a new project, even though I've got at least a dozen WIPs and UFOs already on the needles.  For you knitting muggles out there,  WIP means work in progress, and UFO means unfinished object.   

Anyway, I got my new Brava yarn out, 

and am thinking about casting on an Irish Hiking Scarf and matching hat. I've already printed out patterns, but right now I'm trying to figure out how to widen the scarf a bit, since skinny scarves are no longer the fashion.  I still like them, but apparently, the fashion world doesn't. 

I'm not sure how much wider I'm going to make it, whether to just add one or two repeats, or double the width of the whole thing.  Eh, I'm going to do the hat first, so I'll figure the scarf out later. 

And finally, unless you've been living under a rock, no doubt you've heard of the massive storm system that passed through several states a few days ago.  Turns out there was a seismograph somewhere near where the massive tornado travelled.  They released the image of that ---and it's something to see.

I don't know how to read a seismograph, and I wonder what it would measure on the Richter scale. 

I won't inundate you with photos of the storm damage, as no doubt you've already seen plenty.  I'll just post two that really jumped out at me.   

Yes, that is a refrigerator stuck in a tree.  

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get to bed.  I've got a long day of looking for another plumber coming up...

It's The Little Things

Guess who finally called.  

Yep, the plumber.  He sent one of his employees out after I got home from work.  He did some stuff, but couldn't clear whatever is clogging my drain.  He's going to come back tomorrow with a snake, and see if he can clear it with that.  If that doesn't work, he's talking about ripping out the vanity and tearing up the walls to replace all the plumbing.  I hope it doesn't come to that, but if it does...

Hopefully, tomorrow the main plumber will come, and will have some better ideas what to do. 

In other news, I've been keeping a big box with the intention of cutting it to size and putting it into the window in Cody's bedroom -- the one on the west wall.  Every time I went in there, I'd look at that box and think to myself, "Self, you really need to get that box cut up and put into that window." Then I'd walk out of the room and not do it.  

Well, yesterday, I finally did it.   I cut up that box and put it into the window.  I'm telling you, it makes such a difference.  

The room is so much darker now, and will be so much cooler in the summer without that sun shining right into that window.  Now, I just need to get a light blocking shade for this smaller window, and he'll be all set. 

It's the little things...

In other other news, they sent five -- FIVE-- people home from work today with COVID, including one of the brazers.  That one was kind of aggravating.  She said she'd been feeling bad since last week, and already knew she'd lost her sense of smell, but she got up and came to work this morning anyway -- potentially exposing everyone in the department.  Heavy sigh....what's wrong with people?  

I'll let you know in 5 - 10 days...

And finally, Happy Santa Lucia day to my fellow Swedes out there.

Typical

 Well, the plumber didn't show up.  Didn't even call to tell me he couldn't make it or anything.  He just didn't show.  I won't be a bit surprised if I never hear from him again at all.  Unfortunately, this is pretty typical around here.  

The down side is, my sink still isn't fixed.  I don't know what I'm going to do.  At this point, I guess I'll have to look up some "How to replace your own plumbing" videos on YouTube.  

The only other thing I've done today is finally finish this hat.

Turns out I did have plenty of yarn to finish, even at the 8" length.  I have to confess, though, it was not a joy to knit.  I doubt I'll do this pattern again.  Although, it may go better with some better yarn, so you never know. 

I guess that's about it, unless you want to hear about all the laundry I've been doing.  And boy, have I been doing laundry.  Today, I stripped the bed and washed all the bedding, and I'm talking all the way down to the mattress pad.  Jesse wasn't too thrilled with that, because he knows he can't get on the bed without his blanket on top.  At one point, he went and got on Cody's bed.  I cut him some slack, but told him just this once.  

Yesterday, I pulled the slipcovers off the couch and love seat and washed them, plus all the throws I usually keep on the backs of those pieces of furniture. Tomorrow I may wash Cody's comforter.  I've got to get everything good and clean before the new wears off my washer.  

Oh, and I almost forgot, I washed the dog bed, too.  

I Remembered

My new glasses are here!  

I told you they would be funky,  didn't I?  When I was picking them out, I told the person at the eye doctor, "I'm too old to be funky, but I like these."  She assured me that they look good on me, so there we have it.  I like them much better than the pair I got last time, because those were those super bendy frames.  I thought they'd be less prone to breakage, but after wearing them for a while, I decided I didn't like them at all.  They never felt sturdy enough.   These are much less bendy, and they feel good on my face.  Plus, I like that styles are going back towards larger frames and lenses.  I got so tired of having to peer through lenses the size of quarters.  

By the way, you may notice I've also gone back to a lighter color in my hair.  I do miss my red, but I felt like going with a light blond would make my roots less noticeable between colorings.  The plan is to eventually go completely to gray, but I wanted to do it gradually, so I don't have those gray roots with the tacky faded orange ends.  

Anyway, since the eye doctor is just up the way from the Walmart, I went ahead and got my shopping done yesterday after I picked up my glasses.  That way, all I had to do today was mail the last few Christmas presents.  

I like to have choked when she told me how much it was going to cost (hint: more than the gifts inside did), and I suddenly remembered why I started ordering from Amazon and having them shipped directly from there. I'd rather do that, and have a little more available to spend on the gift itself than to pay exorbitant shipping costs.   Nevertheless, all the gifts that need to be shipped have been shipped.  Now, all I have to do is finish up shopping for my son -- if he would ever tell me what he wants, that is. 

And that's about how my day has gone.  Except it has been so hot and humid, I can't seem to get into the Christmas mood.  I'm still watching my Christmas shows, though.  How humid is it?  This humid:

This is inside my car port, and no, it hasn't been raining.  The rains are supposed to get here later tonight.  In fact, we're going to get more than just rain.  

We have the possibility of severe weather, then it will get cold again.  I took a moment to bring some firewood up, even though it's miserably hot right now.  I'll be all ready for the cold when it gets here. 

And finally, you would be very proud of me.  I called the plumber!  He's supposed to come look at my sink tomorrow.  If he shows up, that is.  Then all I'll have left on my list is to call the oral surgeon, and I'll be done!  

Yay me!

So Lucky

 How did I get so lucky to have such good friends?  

I really don't know, because when you get right down to it, I don't deserved a single one of them.  

I've been feeling pretty down on myself here lately, and all because I don't seem capable of picking up a stupid phone and calling the plumber.  But today!  Today was going to be the day.  I was going to call the plumber...from the parking lot at work, before I even left the plant.

But once I got into my car, I said, "Eh, I'll call when I get home".   Then when I got home, I said, "Eh, I'll call tomorrow..." and once again, a day has gone by when I didn't call the plumber.  I was mentally berating myself pretty harshly.  What is wrong with me that this is so difficult? Why can't I make a simple phone call?  Why do I have to be this way?  

In the midst of all that gloom and self doubt, I checked the mail box and found a squishy package!  It was from one of my newest friends, and completely out of the blue.  Inside that squishy package was kitchen towels with the little crocheted tops,  

And some hot pads, 

and -- as if that weren't enough already --  knit dishcloths with a crocheted edging! 

all in beautiful Fall colors.  My favorite time of year!

But the best thing of all was a note thanking me for the gift of my friendship.  How did I get so lucky to have such good friends?  The towels are on point.  I truly am blessed.  

Thank you, Rebecca!  

I've actually been working on something for you, too, but I'm afraid it might be a minute before I get it done.  Now that I'm about ready for Christmas, at least as far as gifts go, I should be able to pick it back up soon. 

As for what I've been knitting, well, we had a bit of a tragedy here.  Well, not so much a tragedy, but a ... um, setback.  That's all it was, a setback.  

If you'll recall, I've been knitting on a hat using some Caron Simply Soft, and I was upset because there were two, yes two, knots in the yarn.  The first knot, I cut out and did a proper join, but when I got to the second knot, I was so aggravated I just hid the knot on the backside of the knitting and carried on.  That turned out to be a mistake, as I got this far, and ...heavy sigh...the knot came loose. 

My first instinct was to rip the whole hat out and toss it, but I decided that would be a foolish thing to do.  Instead, I ripped back to before the first knot, picked up the stitches, and got back to knitting  -- this time, doing proper joins both times.  As of this writing, I'm almost back to where I was before I ripped,

only now I'm playing a pretty serious game of yarn chicken.  The pattern says to make the body of the hat 8 1/2 inches, but I'm not sure I'm going to win my game if I do that.  I'm thinking I may put in a lifeline at 6 1/2 inches, and another at 7 1/2 inches, so if I do run out of yarn, I can rip back to one of the lifelines --depending on how much yarn I have left --and start the decreases from there.  

I'll keep you posted.

And now to finish this blog with a bit of good news. They've finally told us we can come out of our masks at work!  That was the last place around here that was requiring them, so I am completely 100% mask free now!  Whoo Hoo!.  

The downside of that is now Stalker can see my face again, so he's out there more and more, just staring....staring...staring....

It's almost enough to make me want to put the mask back on.  

Almost....

But not quite. 

Eighty Years Ago

December 7, 1941

Tell it to your children, 

and let your children tell it to their children, 

and their children to the next generation.  --Joel 1:3

So that we may never forget.  

This Cat

My cat is such a drama queen!

We were supposed to have a cold front come through sometime during the night, so when she asked me to let her outside, I told her no.  She had to stay in because I didn't want her to be trapped outside in the storm.  But she wanted to go out!  She was very insistent on going out, but again I said no.  So, what did she do?  

She flopped down in the floor like she was dying.

This cat!

It didn't work.  I still wouldn't let her go out.  However, after listening to her piteous yowling most of the night, I finally gave in.

I let her out.

Sure enough, she didn't come back up to the house before I left for work, so she was trapped outside in the storms.  I hope she's was happy.  Brat.  

The downside to that is, I didn't get much sleep last night, because I spent most of the night listening to her piteous yowling.  I was so tired, by the time I got off work, I was feeling almost sick.  I came home and drank a couple of mugs of turkey broth, and felt a bit better.  

Unfortunately, I don't really have much to tell you about today, unless you want to hear how much laundry I've done.  I think I'll wrap this up and go to bed early.  

Goodnight. 

Busy Weekend

 It all started Saturday morning, when my new washing machine arrived bright and early.

The delivery guy kind of laughed and said I was the first delivery they'd made that day where the recipient was actually awake.  I guess being used to going in at 6:00 has its benefits.   I was glad they came early, so I could get caught up on my laundry. 

They even hooked it up, then checked it out to make sure it was working properly before they left. 

BTW, he is not playing on his phone.  He was turning the flashlight on so the other guy (who you can't see) could attach whatever it was he was attaching.  They were both very efficient and professional.  Got me hooked up quickly, then were on their way.

No sooner had they left when I started the first load.  The manual said to run a small load --preferably 4 or 5 towels--  first, so that's what I did.  This thing is fancy, I'm telling you.  All these cycles and options.

I think what I like best is that number on the right.  It actually tells you how long before the cycle is finished.  Pretty cool, if you ask me.  

I'd only done a couple of loads when Cody called me.  He and Brennan came down for the tree lighting on the square, and he was calling to see if they were still having it.  His weather app showed that it was raining.  It wasn't, but he wanted to be sure.  I told him they were having it anyway, so they came on down, and we carried a couple of rain ponchos with us, just in case.  Turns out, it only sprinkled a bit, so that was good. 

He brought his laundry, too, by the way. 

The tree lighting was nice, but they didn't really have as much as they did last year.  Mainly because there was a conflict with Cotillion, which was scheduled for the same day.  They had that in the First & Green event center, so they couldn't do the Merry Christmas Market, but things happen.  

They had a local girl who sings at all our community events come and sing, and also a man with a guitar led us in group caroling.  It was simple, but nice.  I took quite a few photos, which you can see on my FB or MeWe page, but here is the actual lighting:  

In knitting news, if you'll recall a few weeks ago, I knit a hat for a friend who lives somewhere in the arctic tundra.  I'd knit her one a couple of years ago, but moths got to it, so I'd knit her a new one.  Well, Friday, I got a message from her telling me she'd lost the hat.  She had left it in a fast food place, and when she went back to check, it wasn't there.  She was heartbroken. 

Naturally, I did what any red blooded American would do.  I immediately dug out the yarn and cast on a new one.  I'd gotten this far, 

when she messaged me back, saying she had found her hat.  We were both relieved, but since I was halfway through, I went ahead and finished the one I was knitting.  I think it even striped up better than the first one I'd knit.  It's got fat stripes on one side, 

and skinny stripes on the other. 

The cat, channeling Vanna, approved: 

I told my friend not to be surprised if it shows up in her mailbox anyway.  That way, she'll have a spare.  

And that's about it for my weekend, unless you want to hear about me boiling down my turkey carcass to make broth.  FYI, you can get an astounding lot of broth out of a 17 lb turkey.  But if things keep going the way they are with this economy, I'll be glad of it all before it's all over. 

Thanks a lot, Brandon. 

Well, Here's A New One

 Well, here's a new one for you.  

As you may recall, I got a new phone last week, and as is typical when you get a new phone, I've had to re-enter all my IDs and passwords for the sites I frequently visit.  This morning -- because I have to buy a new washing machine -- I decided to look up the balance in my savings account.

Wonder of wonders, I remembered my password, even after years of just using my fingerprint to sign in.  What I didn't remember was my user name.  I think this is the first time that's ever happened.  I usually remember my user name, but not the password, or I forget both.  But you know me.  I gotta be the odd duck.  

All that to say, I was checking my savings account to make sure I wouldn't put myself in a financial bind with buying a new washing machine.  Said account was still pretty well padded, so after work, I went to the local appliance store.  Unfortunately, they didn't have very many washing machines in stock, and none of them were front loading.  I didn't want to settle for something I didn't really want, so I thanked the sales clerk for her time, then came home and ordered one from Lowe's.  It almost made me sick to my stomach to spend that much money, but a washer is kind of a necessity.  

The one I chose was one I had looked at when I was up there week before last, and the bonus is it was on sale.  It is scheduled to be delivered Saturday, which will be convenient, as I will be home most of the day anyway, watching what little football is left.  Really, the only two games I'm interested in are the Big XII championship between OK ST and Baylor, and the SEC Championship between Alabama and Georgia.  On CBS.  Oh boy.  Gary Danielson...

The good news is, I was able to get my old washer moved out to the carport with no problem, and honestly, the hardest part was getting the cat out of the way.  And I spoke to my coworker today to see him if he still picked up old washers to sell for scrap metal.  He said he did, so that's taken care of, too.  I just have to let him know when he can come get it.  

So, what else is going on?  Let's see...

Back when I cast on this hat

the pattern called for a size 9 needle.  I tore the house up looking for the ones I knew I had, but didn't find them.  I though, "No problem.  I'll just use a size 10," but after tearing the house up looking, I couldn't find them either.  

Alas, there was only one thing left to do.  I hopped onto Knit Picks and ordered two sets of each. 

Then I thought, "Hmmm, let me get some more of that Brava, so I can make a matching hat, mittens and a cowl."  So I bought two skeins.

Then I bought two more.

Then I noticed they had some colors on clearance for really cheap prices, so I got some. 

Then I got some more.

I really like that Brava yarn.  It's acrylic, so it's easy care, but it's really soft, unlike some other acrylic brands.  I know Red Heart is a crap shoot.  Sometimes you get some that's really soft.  Other times, it feels like barbed wire.  But Brava is really nice.  

In fact, I think I'll find something to cast on, while I watch the original 1971 version of The Homecoming.  

Laters.

Good News And Bad News

 The good news is the washing machine repairman showed up when he said he would -- which is a rarity around here.  

The bad news is, he declared my washer dead on arrival.  Really, not so much dead, but he said it would cost more to fix than it was worth.  

I got a bit excited when he said that, and told him, "I've been wanting to get a new one.  Now I have an excuse to."  Tomorrow after work, I'm going to run by a local appliance place that he recommended and see what they have, and more importantly, if they deliver.  If they don't, there's no point in even getting one from there.  In that case, it'll be off to Lowe's on Friday.  I know for a fact they deliver.

And I've got a coworker who will probably want the old one to sell for scrap metal.  So, that's good. I'll just need to get it out of the house, which shouldn't be too terribly hard.  I pulled it out from the wall to turn the water off, and it wasn't too heavy.  I'm pretty sure I'll be able to get it outside. 

I guess that's about it for tonight, because everything I'd planned on writing about just went right out of my head when I got that news.  So, in the spirit of Christmas, here's a carol for you.

The Waltons: The Homecoming Review, And Other Stuff

Recently, I found out the TV channel The CW has done a remake of the 1971 classic Christmas movie The Homecoming.  This is the move that launched the TV series The Waltons.  I watched it yesterday, and I have thoughts.  These thoughts will contain spoilers, so this is your warning.  I'm going to put my review at the end of this post, so if you haven't seen the movie yet -- and want to-- I'll let you know when to stop reading. 

In the meantime, I finally got a good look at my neighbor's house yesterday on the way home from work.  It's a total loss.  My heart goes out to them.

Honestly, I don't even know who lived there any more.  The guy who owned it when I first moved onto this road passed away a few years ago, and I'd thought his widow sold the house.  I'm not completely sure.  

The bright spot of the day, I received my first Christmas card!

Thanks,  Jenn!  I've got one more batch to mail out, then all mine will have been sent. I had so many, I divided them up and mailed a few at a time, so as not to overwhelm my mail carrier.  Probably not necessary, but I did it anyway.  I tried to be kind to those who work in service this time of year.  Well, all year, but especially around the holidays.  They catch so much crap from the Karens out there, a little extra kindness goes a long way. 

Now, for the movie review.  If you haven't seen it yet, and want to, stop reading now.  

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Still here?  OK, let's begin.  

First off, it wasn't a bad movie.  I don't regret watching it, but it wasn't a great movie, either.  It's not one I'd watch over and over again, like the original is. There were a lot of similarities between the two -- naturally -- but there were a lot of differences, as well. 

First difference, they completely omitted Ben from the story.  The producers claim that decision was to give the other kids "more story", but that just doesn't make sense.  In the original movie, all the kids had plenty of story, even with Ben.  Another change they made was that Mary Ellen was the one obsessed with becoming a pilot, and Jim Bob wanted to be an architect.  Not that there's anything wrong with that  -- Amelia Earhart and all -- but we watched for 9 seasons Jim Bob living and breathing flying, hardly taking that pilot's helmet off -- and finally becoming a pilot.  The swap is rather jarring, but it appears they wanted to make Mary Ellen a tomboy feminist.  She does become "the first female pilot for the postal service".   But still, I don't quite get why they couldn't have left Mary Ellen becoming the doctor.  In 1933, that would have been just as groundbreaking as becoming a pilot.  

Also, the story itself seemed to be rather simplified.  I guess they thought they had to dumb it down for today's dumbed down audience.  It lacks the depth and richness of the original.  Everyone already knows John Boy sits up in his room writing in his tablet, so there's no mystery there, wondering what he's doing in his room with the door locked. 

And I wonder about the casting.  The boy they cast to play John Boy was good, but  the little girl they cast to play Elizabeth was totally wrong for the part.

Elizabeth was supposed to be 5 years old.  We know this because at one point, Mama Walton tells Ike, "It's hard to explain the depression to a five year old."  But the girl playing Elizabeth looked like she was about 10 - 12 years old. She was huge, almost as tall as Mama Walton.   Not only that, she couldn't act worth a flip.  She had a couple of crying scenes, and they looked as fake and contrived as they could be.  

Finally, I think the biggest detriment to the remake is that throughout the whole movie, they kept showing you were John Sr is.  This is a huge mistake in my opinion.  In the original, you, the viewer, didn't know any more than the family did.  You didn't know if Daddy was safe or not.  If he would make it home, or was trapped under a bus somewhere.  You felt the same worry and suspense the family did, waiting to see ....

You don't feel the utter let down when Mama sends John Boy out to look for Daddy, only to return home without him -- then the overwhelming relief when the family opens the door and he's there -- with a big bag of presents, no less.  This movie robs the viewer of that experience.  

Oh don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad movie.  It just wasn't a good movie, either.  It was worth watching, but won't become the timeless classic the original movie has.  

From now on, I'll stick with the 1971 version, thank you very much.   

Bummer Of A Day

This is Jay.

We went to school together.  I took this photo from our high school yearbook.  I didn't know him really well, as we ran in different circles, but he was a good guy.  

I found out this morning he died of COVID.  

Big Teddy

Tyrone

Karen

Barbara

Harry

Jason

Mac

Miss Nancy

Gene

David

And now Jay

This list is getting way too long.  

This post is going to be short.  

I just don't have it in me today.  

Happy Hanukkah And Other Stuff

Tonight at sunset the Festival of Lights starts, so let me begin this post by sharing my favorite Hanukkah song by the Maccabeats.

And today is also the first Sunday of Advent, so here is one of my favorite Christmas carols as well.

That's really all I have for today.  I've gotten all my Christmas decorations put up, except the outside lights -- which I will get to here in a few minutes.  I won't bombard you with photos, because they are exactly the same as last year.  If you really want to see them, you can click on the link to last year's blogs in the right hand sidebar.  

I spent most of the last couple of days  -- well, not most, but a good deal of the last two days -- getting my Christmas cards ready to mail,   

while watching cheesy Hallmark movies.  Let me tell you, that new wax I bought is so much better than the cheap stuff I already had.  It melts so much easier and more smoothly.  I'll definitely be buying more of that brand.  BTW, I couldn't put wax seals on all the cards, because many of the envelopes were already decorated, so if you don't get one, don't feel left out.  Next year, I'll try to get cards with plain envelopes, so I can do my own decorating.  

Oh, and you would be proud of me.  I contacted the washing machine repairman.  He is coming tomorrow afternoon to look at my washer.  So, that's one more thing off my list.  

Now, I just need to find a plumber and call the oral surgeon, and I'll have everything marked off of my list of dreaded phone calls to make.  

If you'll excuse me, I need to go start gathering my strength...

And putting up my outside lights. 

Our Thanksgiving

 And with that, Thanksgiving 2021 is in the books.   

Cody and Brennan came down Wednesday evening, with the plan to cook gumbo for Thanksgiving dinner.  Only Cody forgot all his gumbo ingredients in his apartment, so they had to run into Walmart -- which didn't have what he wanted, so they just bought chicken and sausage.  I'd already bought shrimp, so we were good to go.  

I still fixed the traditional Thanksgiving fare, as well, and so we all had plenty to eat.  They did eat the turkey, so I guess they've decided not to be strict vegetarians after all.   

Anyway, here is the obligatory photo of our food, 

which I didn't realize Cody was being a goof until just now.  

After dinner, the kids put up the Christmas tree, and I'm telling you it goes so much faster with people around to help.  

Normally, it would take me all day to get the tree up, but they knocked it out in just a few minutes.  Just to be on the safe side, we didn't hang any breakable ornaments, because I didn't know how the cat would react to all the dangly things.  Turns out, we needn't have worried.  Other than sniffing the skirt a bit, she hasn't shown any interest whatsoever in the tree.  

Even without the glass and ceramic ornaments, we had plenty to make a really nice tree.

And here is the obligatory photo of the kids in front of the tree:

Now, as many of you may remember, it's a custom in my house to get a new ornament each year, preferably one that reflects something significant for the year.  Last year, I got a plague doctor ornament.  This year...well, what else could I get?

That's about it for our Thanksgiving, unless you want to hear how the cat was delighted to find new people to give her attention.  

She finally settled down in Cody's lap, and Brennan was like, "awww."

But a few minutes later, the cat jumped up into Brennan's lap and curled up for a nap.  From the look on Brennan's face, you'd have thought she won the lottery.

That was it for our Thanksgiving.  I spent most of today putting out Christmas decorations, which I won't bore you with photos.  They're the same as last year. 

The most exciting thing today was when I stepped outside to check the mail, I found my neighbor down the street's house was on fire. 

I saw a couple of my other neighbors standing out in their driveways watching, so I walked over and we had a good visit.  I got caught up on some of the neighborhood gossip, including finding out my next door neighbor, Mr. Johnny had passed away way back in January.  I hadn't even known.  And I met a new neighbor who had apparently been living in her house a while, but I hadn't met her yet.  When you work at ADP, you don't have much chance to get out and have a social life, you know. 

We chatted a while, then I came back in before they even got the fire put out.  It was pretty chilly, and we were all out there in our house shoes and bathrobes/pajamas and such.  I went back out later in the day, but didn't walk down the road to see how badly the house was damaged, but from what I could tell, I don't see how they can salvage any of it. 

And right here before Christmas, too.